Rotunda research finds chances of women becoming pregnant drop rapidly after 40
Research from the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin has found the chances of women getting pregnant over the age of 40 drop rapidly.
A review of the Human Assisted Reproduction clinic at the hospital shows women aged between 43-45 have less than half the chance of getting pregnant (5.04%) than those aged 40-42 (12.5%).
The research, which covers a 16-year period, also found that those in their mid-40s who do get pregnant have a substantially higher risk of losing their baby than those in the younger group.
It comes as the proportion of women over 40 using the clinic's services has risen from 7% in 1997 to 20% in recent years.
Authors of the report, embryologists Dr Linda O' Shea, Dr Ciara Hughes and Dr Ed Mocanu said that attempting to become pregnant by using donated eggs is a "very promising option" for women over 40.
Dr Mocanu warned however that people need to be aware that fertility is a finite entity and should be prioritised to avoid difficulties.
"IVF in itself cannot fix a problem," he said.
"Fertility should be high on everybody's agenda early in their career, mainly because it's a finite entity.
"One can have the power to earn or buy a house at any age, but in terms of fertility, there is only a block of time when a women can conceive."
